INTERVIEWS

Question - What are the activities that you teach the children every day?

Answer - Well, for these children Preeti ma'am is in charge of their prayer. So at the start of the day, first there everyone does prayer together. There is this boy, Arpit Khanna, who is my ex-student as I am a special educator. Someone, please call Deepa.

 Deepa was a girl who was also a student of mine and Deepa now helps the other children here, as a teacher. She helps Preeti ma'am. [everyone applauded after hearing this success story].

 My student here, due to her medical condition did not know what she is doing which is why she is on her medications. Now she is well and good. She is good at studies and I think she has also completed her education till 7th grade. She also has very good handwriting. With a calm personality, she writes what Preeti ma'am speaks and assists her.

 For our students, first, there is a prayer and then there is a yoga session.

Question - What are the steps or measures you take so that the children are accepted in society?

Answer- See, no matter what society thinks, I always, for every child like her (referring to the girl standing beside her in the interview), tell her that you are the best. There is no one else better than you. I only give them my love. Like Asha, she cannot speak but I always guide her on how to present oneself. I also guide these children when it comes to grooming and taking care of themselves. This is how I guide them. I teach them to love themselves because the only thing that matters is that they should love themselves.

Question - When they go outside or any visitors visit, what are the challenges faced? Like if any person says anything insensit

Answer - Well in that case, first I answer myself and do not leave the children to talk in the front as they are not aware of what reply to give. The children are very innocent but if I tell them any rules or regulations, They adhere to them strictly. Here these kids (referring to the children sitting in the interview room) and the other children have been, but you must have noticed how there was no noise at all. Did you hear any noise? They are very disciplined children. So whenever someone new comes, as I do not know their nature or personality, They do not talk to the children first. First I talk with them and introduce myself and only after that if I deem it necessary do the outsiders talk with the children. In case of any official talk, it does not reach them as it is not allowed. From ten to five a.m children or parents can come to visit but they must inform me first.

Does she try to express herself through any form of art, for example, music, dance, etc?

 Yes, she loves to dance, and she loves to sing. even when she is not going to school she follows all the daily routines like prayer and jangan mana. On holidays she wakes up and follows the routine and only then does she does any other work.

 Second thing, she loves to write. Whatever she feels sad or happy about, she writes about it on a page. This is a way of expressing herself, sometimes when she feels bad or upset she does not tell me but goes and writes about it in her diary and then shows it to me.

 Ma'am which type of dance does she prefer and which type of songs for dancing or singing?

 Well, kind of familiar songs ..Like Bollywood.Bollywood.

Has she ever shown interest in learning any type of classical dance or something like that?

 I tried, I sent her to an academy for kathak, but I think it is difficult for her. It depends on the teacher from what I know. It depends on the way of teaching and the teacher's behavior toward her.

 If the direction is given as per her choice then of course she will develop an interest in the dance form but every teacher is not like this. This is why now she dances in Bollywood as she loves it.

So ma'am has she participated in any of the competitions recently?

 You can say or you cannot say. It is not a competition but actually, we are living in an apartment complex so she has to participate in the cultural programs here. She has given state performances many times like on the 15th of august, the 26th of January, or the October garbage and Navaratri. She has also given a speech in a group.

 Ma'am, how should others interact with her which will make her gel better?

 Sorry, can you repeat the question?

 How should others behave with her so that she can gel better with her environment? Like how should we approach her or interact with her so that she is comfortable? If she is talking to a new person how, how should the person approach her so that she immediately gels with them and becomes comfortable? How can that be done?

 See in one meet or two she cannot gel up that easily rather we have to keep trying. It is a simple thing. you should go and talk to her. Like she loves to talk about her birthday so whenever I have to bring a big smile to her face so I talk about her birthday.

ok, ma'am. does she have any dreams for the future or something that you want her to be?

 Yes, her body is very flexible, so I put her in yoga because since the lockdown she is doing yoga regularly. So I want her to be a yoga teacher or assistant yoga teacher but she wants to become a subject teacher.

What is your view about the support Tavish gets?

Some understand the problems faced and support him, but then there are a few who may also show emergency towards him. We cannot say that everyone is like this. Some show him support wholeheartedly[talking about the students] whereas some show minimal support but if he asks for help again, they may start neglecting him or ignoring him as they can't hear him.

 How does he relax, does he use any form of art to do so?

 Yes when he wants to, he starts making drawings or starts playing games such as chess and carrom as well as badminton or football for outdoor games. he also watches cartoons. 

Ma'am, what does he want to be when he grows up? What are his dreams?

 He aims to be an astronaut. But as they say, one must always believe in miracles.

 So ma'am what do you want him to be?

 Yes, we have given it a thought, He may also go into a business. That is just what we thought.

 Thank you, ma'am,we liked this interview